One of our favorite vacations!

Guest: RRovang (Clinton, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/06/12

Amazing place. This was our first trip to Key West and we'll be back. We had 3 couples in the vacation home. It was as advertised... and more. Beautiful location, very private and full of great toys to keep us busy. We used the kayaks and canoe, caught fish off of the shore until our arms were about to fall off, relaxed in the hot tub, cooled off in the pool and ate most of our meals on the deck overlooking the bay and the canal. Albert, the owner, was very helpful and answered all of our questions. The only complaint would be that none of the bikes were operable. They all had flat tires and neither of the pumps was working. I had to walk one of them about a mile to the Circle K to inflate the tires. The pool was a bit cold, but not cold enough to keep us out of it. If you go, try the Cuban sandwiches and coffee at Tina's Market deli about a half mile away. Dinner at Bobalus Southern Cafe nearby. Both were excellent and CHEAP. We ate at each of them twice. Try the grouper or chicken fried steak at Bobalus, but bring your own wine - they only serve beer. We visited Key West during Fantasy Fest. We had not heard of it before and were quite surprised! Lot's of fun, but glad that one couple that was supposed to come with us backed out. They are a bit "conservative" and would have been shocked by some of the festivities. Me? I'm going back. In fact, I may just move there...

Owner response:These guest were awesome to host. If the only complaint is no air in bike tires, I'll take that all day long. I wish they would have called me about it, I have an air compressor I could have made available to them. The bikes are just 1 of many toys I provide my guest. I would love to host them in the future. Albert Garcia

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Great place to turn 50

Guest: LAK (Indiana)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11 Review Submitted: 08/20/11

We had a wonderful week the house was very accomandating for 8 people. It has everything this add says it has but it helps if you have your own pool person and someone that knows hot tubs to keep things going. Very close to Key West and the taxi service is resonable. We loved the privacy of our own pool and the kayaks are great fun. Some of the beds need some attendtion.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway.

Mini Season 2011

Guest: Robert (Orlando, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

My family and friends had a great time at the 20 Cactus address. Albert was very helpful about the local waters and activities. The home is beautiful and roomy. I recommend the property for families.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!

Guest: Well-seasoned vacationer (Corinth, Mississippi)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

This was a vacation trip for our whole family (children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren) and we had the best time! The house could not be beat with all the ammenities and views! We enjoyed seeing sites around Key West (especially the Butterfly Conservatory) but enjoyed being at the house and spending time with each other. I can't believe how relaxing it was to kayak and canoe with the grandkids, grill out and eat under the Tiki Hut, swim in the pool, and have a sound system to provide music wherever you were. We watched three different sets of fireworks on the fourth of July from the balcony upstairs! Would definitely come back again if we ever vacation in the Keys again. We try to go somewhere different every year to enjoy all aspects of the United States. Would definitely recommond to anyone. I don't know how you could come and not have a wonderful time!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

PRIVATE AND HAD EVERYTHING

Guest: Ken (Hackensack, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/17/11

Had a great time here, great location and amenities. Owner very accommodating.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.

Simply Amazing!!!

Guest: Mike, Bob and the Hicks (Lenoir City Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 05/13/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

This is by far the best vacation in the states I have ever taken! Albert was true to his word. We didn't want to leave the property, everything we wanted to do was there. We will be coming back to Key West and if the current owner still has it, we will be staying there. The pictures don't do the house justice, as we approached the house through the private gate, it was all I needed to make this the perfect vacation spot. Swimming, hot tub, pool table, outdoor tv and sound system, large kitchen and one of the nicest master bedroom and baths . Plenty of room for our seven guests of east Tennesseeans! Everyone enjoyed the trip. The only negative thing anyone said was" where is the iron"? To the reply I delightfully said " YOU'RE AT THE BEACH! Thanks again Albert!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A double family vacation

Guest: Katya (Richmond, VA)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 05/19/11

Two families with kids ranging from 3 to 23 years old all had a great time at this house. It is as the pictures show, big and beautiful, and right on the water with loads of privacy. We trailered our own boat which we launched right at the house so the fishermen could go out whenever the mood struck. The pool was just right for the 3 year old, and the beds were great too. We ended up renting bikes in town to use because the ones at the house were a little beaten up for going far on, but the kayaks were fine and we enjoyed them as well. The kitchen is HUGE but not as well appointed as I would have liked, but it was perfectly fine for vacation cooking. We would definitely rent this house again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Awesome vacation

Guest: Melody (Newport, RI)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

We wanted to go to Key West and did not know where to stay since there was 10 of us. I saw an ad for VRBO and went onlline and found this house. It was better than we expected. There was plenty of room for all of us with out getting on each others nerves (which when there are 10 people we know that can happen). The house and views are spectacular. We only went in to downtown 3 times because the house and property were so great. Albert (the owner) was great and gave us a lot of good advice as to where to go and what to do. We had 2 rental cars but if you are going in town take a taxi so you do not have to pay to park. The Taxi service was great. Again a great place for a large group of friends or family..Thanks again Albert....

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A perfect vacation location

Guest: Juicy [ my grandma name] (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 12/11/10 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

My husband and I took our entire family to Cactus Paradise from 12/11/10-12/18/10. There were 8 adults and 5 kids ages 1, 21/2, 5 year-old twins and an 8 year old. It was fabulous. We couldn,t believe how beautiful the house is as well as being completely stocked with everything we needed. The pool is pristine and huge. When the kids got chilly, they would run to the hot tub. We thought we would be in Key West a lot, but no one wanted to leave the property. The kayaks were always in use as was the hammock! We ended up taking turns cooking dinner each night. We had 5 different key lime pies and voted on the best. An added benefit was we could have the windows and doors open all day and night as there were NO BUGS!!! I contacted Holiday Baby online in Key West and rented cribs, a high chair, stroller, swim vests. They were wonderful and ao was Albert. The house is only 15-20 minutes from Key West which made shooping easy but far enough away to be peaceful. My husband and son-in-law played golf one day nearby and said the course was great. There were also several heated pool games to see who would be making margaritas that night. All in all a perfect vacation. We would love to came back and the family is already begging!

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers.

Seven day's of Paradise

Guest: Paradise Bride (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Online photo's represented the property 100%. The location is not only beautiful inside and out but a very relaxing enviroment. Albert and Brenda were alway's in contact and very helpful before, during and after our stay. The accomodations on the inside of the house were very comfortable and enjoyed for the week by our whole wedding party. The location is only ten minutes from the airport and downtown. Making it very easy for transportation no matter what you'd like to do during your stay. We found some of the old buildings in Key West and attractions very interesting such as the Commodore Restaurant for fine dining and if you want a drink and lunch the Hogs Breath will do just fine. We would highly recomend this location to friends, relatives or anyone seeking a get away.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.